14 May 2020 | Wayne Currall
Interesting night of pacing at Gloucester Park on Friday night with many of the WA Trotting Media Guild members selecting the same horses as their star bet on the 10-event card.
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believe Gardys Legacy will score an all-the-way victory in the $50,000 Pearl Classic (2130m).
“Gardys Legacy is a talented three-year-old who won the only heat of this series to qualify for this race,” Wishart said. “Meets them all again, but draws the pole this time. I love the best horse drawing the best barrier – invariably they win. Should lead all the way.”
Havercroft agrees.
“Gardys Legacy looks set to collect the biggest pay cheque of his career in the Group 2 Pearl Classic on the back of some consistent form including a fourth in the WA Derby,” Havercroft said. “Connections are loving the random barrier draws in which the Bettors Delight gelding has now drawn peg one or two in his last five starts.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and longshot king Pat Harding have made squaregaiter Princess Mila their best.
“Smart trotter Princess Mila won a Byford trial on Sunday and looks set to bounce back from a last-start unplaced run, when she galloped in the early stages,” Manning said. “The Victorian import, who quickly hit form when beginning to race recently for trainer Gary Hall, won impressively at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park last month.”
Harding is singing from the same songbook as Manning.
“There have certainly been lean pickings for punters and tipsters at GP over the past few weeks, however this week Gary Hall Jr could be the driver to follow with the possibility of four winning drives,” Harding said. “My best bet of the night comes up in the stand start trot. The Gary Hall-trained Princess Mila with Junior aboard already has some impressive stats since a spell and is worth following.”
TABradio’s Hayden King, who has established a healthy lead in this season’s tipping competition, has made Valbonne his star bet.
“Valbonne is drawn to run to the front and his form is excellent,” King said. “I think he will lead and win, with the $4 price touted looking exceptional value. It could be a terrific night for the Albert Walmsley colours.”
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas has opted for Madame Meilland in race two as his best for the night.
“Ross Olivieri’s bonny mare Madame Meilland gets a good chance to end a losing sequence of 21 when she starts from the No.2 barrier in the Westral Pace over 2536m on Friday night,” Casellas said. “Things haven’t gone her way at several recent starts and I’m making her my best bet to bounce back into the limelight this week.”
TABradio’s Matt Young believes punters can get off to a great start by supporting Hes Royal Blue in the opening event.
“Hes Royal Blue finally comes up with a good barrier to lead over the mile and this is his pet distance,” Young said. “He should lead and win and get the punters off on the right foot.”
But that ain’t the way it’s going to play out, according to Guild president Wayne Currall, who has made Balcatherine his best bet in the same race.
“Balcatherine was crying out for clean air when she finished a most unlucky third behind Arma Indie last week,” Currall said. “She will follow out likely leader Hes Royal Blue from her backline trailing draw and should have the last crack at them.”
VALUE BETS
WARREN: Oneonthewood won well two starts ago at Pinjarra and the draw here gives him an each-way chance.
RYAN: Tanaka Eagle has relished the change of environment since entering the stables of Peter Tilbrook. Will be at generous odds and has been finding his way into the placings recently.
ERNIE: Neighlor has not been placed in his past seven starts, but will appreciate gate one after drawing seven and eight at his past two appearances. He has won 16 races, including six at Gloucester Park.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race seven with No.5 Queen Shenandoah with Chris Voak aboard. I think she can give this a real shake and give punters a good boost.
HAYDEN: In keeping with the Walmsley theme, Lord Rosco looks a huge price at $7 in the first. He has options from the wide gate considering his superb gate speed. He looks a threatening chance of making it four in a line.
KEN: For value I suggest Our Rhythm N Blues, who will start from the outside of the backline in the Retravision Pace. He’s been knocking on the door recently – and perhaps it will open this week.
MATT: Sightseeing Anvil has the speed to lead or settle very close to them and is racing well enough for this. He looks a great each-way chance.
WAYNE: Mileys Desire races best when she finds the pegs. She is drawn behind likely leader Countess Grace in race seven and can run a race at big odds.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting from home.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
